Wow, I have been trying to get a hold of Heavy Metal Parking Lot for years to no avail. This film is a documentary about the people who were tailgating in the parking lot on May 31, 1986 outside the Capital Centre (since demolished) in Landover, Maryland. Judas Priest and Dokken were playing.

It looks like my search is over. It, and TWO follow up films (“Heavy Metal Basement” and “Heavy Metal Parking Lot Alumni: Where are they now?“) are available online at Snagfilms.

Watch more free documentaries

THE PRIEST IS IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SQUEE!

A Star Trek theme park is to be built in Jordan. It is being designed by Paramount Recreation at a price tag of $1 billion USD.

The themed entertainment destination will also serve as a model for “green energy,” incorporating state-of-the-art renewable technologies throughout the facility, and hosting a “future” pavilion where businesses, students and attendees can learn about alternative energy sources ranging from solar and wind energy to greywater harvesting

This sounds a bit like Epcot’s original purpose to me – before it got retooled because it was boring most people to death. (Note: I love Epcot, but things like Kitchen Kabaret had to go.)

I don’t know. I just wonder what the heck happened to our Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas and why they are building a park based on an American property so far outside of America. It doesn’t sound like something many of us theme park nuts or Star Trek fans would ever consider going to based on what I am hearing now.

I’m just cranky because the idiot asshats in Vegas cant get their shit together and bring back the Star Trek Experience. Don’t mind me.

I happened to be in Florida for my husband’s birthday when I heard over Twitter that the previews had started for Star Tours 2. (Best birthday ever!) I was lucky enough to be in the first group of non-Cast Members to ride this ride.

No photos or video was allowed so I will have to describe it to you. When you enter the queue you see a departure board listing many different Star Wars locations. It also plays the previously released film advertising Star Tours’ services and encouraging you to spend a relaxing day at their various locations.

C3PO and R2-D2 are in the room as well trying to fix a ship. If you have been to the California location this will seem very similar to you. As best as I could tell it was the same as California’s Star Tours 1 animatronics, but I could be wrong. This is a good upgrade, though. Prior to this, Orlando’s queue was very lackluster when compared to Califomia.

The next room has some broken droids-one is the pilot droid from Star Tours 1. On the other side of the queue in this room is a very funny droid scanning bags. The first one I saw had Mickey ears, the second had blasters. He pondered that this fellow has a lot of “hair dryers” and flagged it through.

At the other end of the queue is a window that shows some characters in silhouette, acting out different scenes like, “these are not the droids you are looking for”. R2 sprouts Mickey ears. There are many variations and I did not see them all because the line moved fast.

After this is a body scanner that shows the heat of your body. The droid operating it makes fun of you as you pass by. For example, “your husband is a Wookie” jokes. It was cute.

Then you board the ride. This ride is now in 3D. The 3D was very good-not cheap retrofitted 3D that many films use. A photo of a random rider is taken. They are a rebel spy who will be arrested if you do not take them to safety. A chase ensues. You go through random locations from the films such as various space fights, hoth, underwater with the gungans. We got momentarily captured by an angry fish who shook us about.
Eventually we escaped and crashed to safety.

Overall, I thought Star Tours 2 was a great, fancy upgrade to an aging ride. We did notice that the voice levels were too low to be heard over the music during the ride, but this can be easily fixed. The ride isn’t that much different than the original ride except for the new film with different endings, and an upgraded queue. We enjoyed it a lot. Star Wars fans will love it, but if you are expecting something drastically different from the old ride or mind-shatteringly revolutionary you may be disappointed. I can’t wait to ride it again.

EDIT: Video of the ride is now available:

Errr…I think the ducky won.